Friday, December 30, 2016

A New Year Abounding...

I've been asked by a couple of people if I will start blogging again. I stopped for a long long time and perhaps it was because I no longer felt what I had to say was important or relevant or even needed. And, perhaps it still is not but, after some thought, here I am again, for better or for worse.

If you know me from Face book or in person, you know I am an outspoken and passionate person. Trained as an English teacher, I believe in researching before I speak or post and nothing gets a burr up my backside more than "false" news and people who do not believe in making sure they have used reliable sources before they post something.

Those of you who know me, know of my love of my family and my friends and how loyal a friend I can be. I work hard to be respectful in my posts especially when I disagree. It is that old "catch more flies with honey" theory my mother told me about eons ago. I also believe that respect breeds respect. Everyone is entitled to their beliefs right or wrong.

I was watching a video recording today (https://www.facebook.com/coffeeparty/?hc_ref=NEWSFEED&fref=nf) and yes. I am aware it is from what is considered a left movement. And the question was posed: What is our responsibility as a citizen of this nation? That got me thinking for sure.

So here is my view for what it is worth. As a citizen of the United States, my responsibility is to question. Question what, you ask? EVERYTHING. My responsibility is to question actions by our president, our congress about every action, every law, every move they make. To question is to hold them responsible. If they are not considering the citizens who elected them, then they should be voted out of office. So who are the "citizens" they are to be representing...US!.

They have a second job which is equally important: they are to protect the Constitution of the United States and the Bill of Rights and make sure ALL elected officials are enforcing these to the utmost of their abilities. They take an oath to do so and no oath to political party affiliations. We are their bosses, not the head of their political party. They work for us! If they can not do the job, they need to find other employment.

As most of you are aware, I was a Bernie gal from the get go. Were all his policies workable...probably not. No politicans are. When he did not get the Democratic nomination and Trump got the Republican one, I knew I had to make a choice. And I did. As did tons of you. (and if you did not vote...shame on you)!

I come from a mixed political background. I lived with my parents and my maternal grandparents until I was five. At that time, they were all Republicans when it was truly the Grand Old Party. When my dad got a job in Kansas as a tool and dye maker and joined the union and later my mother joined the typographical union when she resumed proof reading for newspapers, they both turned Democrat. Eventually, I made up my own mind and became, until this last election, an Independent voting on the issues not the person.

I became more politically active in college after losing friends in the Vietnam War and focused more and more on human rights. Call me a liberal now if you wish. I have stated my beliefs as a self proclaimed conservative liberal here on the blog before.

My concern today is not for myself or even for my children, although they are the love of my life but rather the world my grandchildren (twin boys 6 and their sister, 5) will inherit. I am frightened for them with the way our country is shaping up to become. They are so filled with love and compassion now and see the world as one great big playground. I want their future to be ensured as to the opportunities for them. And I am scared for them.

The central question again: what is my responsibility as a citizen? To do everything I can to hold those in power accountable for their actions and to make sure our Constitution is enforced and upheld.

I wish you all (how every few are still out there) a good new year and hope you will join me as a citizen of this nation who will be a responsible one.

I have set a goal of blogging once a week. Please help me be accountable for that goal.

3 comments:

Glad you are back to blogging. I have missed your posts. I have been reading your musings since the CKMB and then the Monkee chat board. I am guilty of reading but never responding (a lurker, I guess) I will try to do better in 2017.Your grandchildren are adorable.B.T.W. I am Hallie from Massachusetts.

Whether or not your writings are "important or relevant or even needed", I enjoy reading them for your wit and wisdom of grandparenting and your take on your slice of paradise. Welcome back to blogging! I look forward to reading more.